I was so excited when my 52 Teas package arrived! Yay! Tea! The best thing about being home on is getting the tea the moment it lands in your mailbox. And then brewing a cup of new tea right away! Perfect timing since I was feeling cold from walking my doggies in the snow. They were not pleased. They look absolutely adorable in their jackets though. :)http:[email protected]/8456031767/

So since I’ve been wanting this particular tea the longest, I ripped it open and dreamt of sweet malty chocolatey tea while it brewed. Unfortunately, what it really tastes like is a vaguely sweet pure honeybush. If I didn’t see the cocoa nibs in there myself, I wouldn’t believe there was any chocolate in there at all. Where’s the malt? Where’s the chocolate?! So much disappointment. :( I’ve read some people saying that a newly flavored tea needs a few weeks to begin tasting the way it’s supposed to. But even if there seems to be no flavor whatsoever? So many good reviews for this tea from the past too… I guess I can only wait a few weeks and try again. I’ll hold off rating until then.

Can I ask how much tea you used, how long you steeped it and at what temperature? I would recommend 1.5tsp per 8-10oz cup steeped for really as long as you like, but probably at least 4-5 minutes in boiling (212F) water.

Feeling stupid now: I just looked at your tasting note log. You’ve clearly had our honeybush blends before and know how to steep them. Sorry. That is quite odd. It IS a new batch. I was thinking it was going to be even MORE chocolatey with the new roasted cacao nibs too. =(

It’s okay, Frank. I’m sure it will get better with time! You have so many excellent teas that I’d believe my tastebuds are at fault for not tasting the chocolate. I’ve had other chocolate teas from you, and I know you do chocolate very well. I’ll just let it age a bit and try again in a couple of weeks. :) Until then, I also just got a pouch of your Strawberry Pie honeybush, which I am having now, and it is definitely tasty!

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Can I ask how much tea you used, how long you steeped it and at what temperature? I would recommend 1.5tsp per 8-10oz cup steeped for really as long as you like, but probably at least 4-5 minutes in boiling (212F) water.

Feeling stupid now: I just looked at your tasting note log. You’ve clearly had our honeybush blends before and know how to steep them. Sorry. That is quite odd. It IS a new batch. I was thinking it was going to be even MORE chocolatey with the new roasted cacao nibs too. =(

It’s okay, Frank. I’m sure it will get better with time! You have so many excellent teas that I’d believe my tastebuds are at fault for not tasting the chocolate. I’ve had other chocolate teas from you, and I know you do chocolate very well. I’ll just let it age a bit and try again in a couple of weeks. :) Until then, I also just got a pouch of your Strawberry Pie honeybush, which I am having now, and it is definitely tasty!

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I came from a tea drinking family, but I never appreciated the different qualities and varieties of tea until older. All that time wasted! But I guess I needed to be mature enough to appreciate the tea experience. :)

My favorite teas are green oolongs and white tea. I also love greens, especially gyokuro. I have a huge appreciation for rooibos and honeybush as they are often that only thing I can drink in the evening. I am a relatively new convert to black teas. This is unfortunate for my wallet but extremely wonderful for my palate. :)

In any case, I have a love for both flavored and unflavored teas. They are different experiences for sure, but both enjoyable. I find that it often depends on my mood.

I am on a quest to find a tea that will win my husband over. I think I’m making some headway…